Wow it’s June and the weather is warming, the winemakers are bottling and the wine grapes are ripening. Love all those green rows of vines; they are especially nice when our hills turn brown, er, I mean golden.

Brown or golden we are lucky to have the green. The central coast has been cattle county for decades and it’s been only the last 30 or so years that vineyards in the coastal areas have sprung up in abundance painting the hills emerald green.

It was in the early 1970s when the first commercial vines were planted in the Edna Valley. Chamisal Vineyard on Orcutt Road, the small Niven Vineyard on Biddle Ranch Road and the large Niven owned Paragon Vineyard in the Edna Valley proved that the region could grow exceptional grapes for wine making.  Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley no host over a thousand acres of vines.

Party Time: If you are looking for a grand tasting event this month check out the Atascadero Wine Festival at the Lake Park and Zoo coming up on June 26. It is a fundraiser for the Charles Paddock Zoo. Over 80 wineries and food providers will be sharing their wares under the trees lakeside. A favorite Central Coast event of winemakers and wine tasters.

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